Texans enter training camp with concerns over depth

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When the Texans take the field Friday for the first of two-a-day practices, coach Gary Kubiak has a couple of concerns he knows must be addressed during training camp and preseason.

The first concern involves getting all of the injured players healthy. Kubiak’s philosophy is to bring along injured players slowly, even if they’re 100 percent, such as inside linebacker Brian Cushing.

Kubiak wants to make sure the players who have recovered from surgery are ready for the regular-season opener at San Diego.

The second concern falls in the same category. The Texans have to find quality depth, and they’re going to be counting on some young players who are still developing and have yet to prove themselves on a consistent basis.

They have to replace all the players lost after the last two seasons, including starters like outside linebacker Connor Barwin, fullback James Casey and safety Glover Quin this year.

Other starters who have to be replaced are receiver Kevin Walter and nose tackle Shaun Cody.

Backups could be big

You realize why depth is such an issue when you consider other players lost after the 2011 season, including defensive end Mario Williams, inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans, tight end Joel Dreessen, receiver Jacoby Jones, offensive tackle Eric Winston and guard Mike Brisiel.

And we’re not even including kickers and punters.

That’s a lot of talent no longer there.

With depth in mind, let’s look at five players for fans to keep an eye on during camp and preseason.

Let’s start with running back Ben Tate. The coaches don’t want Arian Foster setting another career high in carries, as he did last season with 351. They need Tate to stay healthy, unlike last season when he ran only 65 times for 279 yards and ranked third on the team in rushing.

If Tate can produce as he did in 2011 when he carried 175 times for 942 yards, the Texans will have the best one-two punch in the NFL. Tate worked hard in the offseason, and this is the last year of his contract. He has a chance to cash in as a free agent after the season.

Another important offensive player to watch is tight end Garrett Graham. In his second season, he caught 28 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns. The Texans utilize a lot of formations with two tight ends, and Graham has the ability to become the kind of weapon Dreessen was behind Owen Daniels.

Graham can catch the ball anywhere on the field. He also can be trouble in the red zone for defenses that focus on Daniels and Andre Johnson.

The other offensive player to keep an eye on is second-year receiver Keshawn Martin. The coaches were impressed with how hard he worked in the offseason and how much more comfortable and confident he seems to be in the system.

As a rookie, Martin caught only 10 passes for 85 yards, and he appeared to hit that invisible rookie wall that hampers so many. Now, though, Martin is smart, quick and determined and ready to produce on a new level.

Most young players make their biggest improvement in their second season if they get an opportunity, and the coaches are hoping Martin will be a formidable weapon in the middle of the field.

On defense, this is the perfect time for cornerback Brandon Harris to turn it up a notch and play like a former second-round pick. Harris, a savvy player who can play inside or outside, has to step up his performance and play so well the coaches have confidence that he can be the third corner.

Versatility is key

If McCain isn’t 100 percent, Harris has to become the nickel corner and do a reasonable impersonation of McCain, who’s one of the best in the business when healthy. When McCain is ready, Harris needs to solidify his job as the fourth corner who covers an outside receiver.

Finally, keep an eye on Jared Crick, the second-year defensive end. An injury kept him out of the first round, and he played well enough as a rookie last season to participate in 32 tackles. He’s big and strong and has a terrific attitude. He can play nose in a pinch.

When Crick gets on the field, expect him to make the kind of plays that stand out. Being around J.J. Watt every day must be contagious.

There are other backups who need to show the coaches in camp and preseason they’re capable of contributing. That’s one reason Friday will be the start of something so interesting for so many on and off the field.